Darłowo is a town situated on the right bank of the river Wieprza in a central section of the Polish coast. The town has a current population of 14,475.

The inhabitants of Darłowo gained town status in 1270. In the 14th century, during the reign of Bogusław V, the town quickly developed and the castle became a seat of Pomeranian Princes. In 1412 Darłowo, with its population of 3000, became a direct member of the Hanseatic League and owned a large fleet of fishing vessels. In the 15th century Darłowo was ruled by the "Viking of the Baltic" Eric I, who was the King of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. When he died in 1459 he was buried in the town's church. Of the Kings who ruled Darłowo after the death of Eric I, Bogusław X deserves a special mention. During his reign the town flourished and became one of the most important Baltic ports. In the period of the Scandinavian Wars up to a hundred ships sailed from Darłowo to Sweden delivering: woollen cloth, canvas, grain, beer and armour. At the end of the 18th century the town transformed itself into
a summer resort, attracting holidaymakers with its numerous boarding houses and summer accommodation. In 1814 a bathing area was set up in Darłowo for the first time.

In the 19th century various projects were carried out, whose purpose was to improve and renovate the port's infrastructure. The navigational depth was increased in the whole port and an inner port was built, along with mooring facilities along the river Wieprza and the breakwaters of the outer port Darłówko. A pilots' station was also constructed, and a navigation light was positioned on top of it. As a result of the rebuilding work, Darłowo became the most frequent destination for ships out of the ports on the cost of Central Pomerania, closely followed by Kołobrzeg. The smallest number of ships sailed to Ustka. In 1931 a fishing basin was put into operation, which was situated on the eastern bank of the Wieprza. From 1939 to 1945 a shipyard for ferroconcrete ships, which launched a container and two trading ships, was constructed.

In 1948 the port in Darłowo was once more put into operation. The waters of the port cover an area of 16.0 hectares, the coastline is 3 km in length, and the whole port covers an area of 46.4 hectares. At present the port has no single administration. The main administrator is the Maritime Office in Słupsk, which owns 75% of the land around the port.

Navigation information

Position:

Lat. 54° 26' N

Long. 16° 23' E

The commercial and fishing harbour of Darłowo is situated at the mouth of the Wieprza river. The commercial harbour consists of an avanport, the Port of Darłówko, the manoeuvring basin and the main basins in Darłowo.

The entrance is formed by two concrete breakwaters, from avanport, extending over 450 m from the east and west side of the river's mouth. It is 38 m wide and has
a depth of 7.5 m.

During a storm up to 7oB from SW through W to NE it may be difficult to enter the harbour due to the high waves and the narrow entrance to the harbour. In this situation vessels have to be anchored on the road. There is an anchorage on the road with depth of 16 m nearby the entrance.

The coastal current outside breakwaters sets NE across the entrance with winds from the SSW, through the W, to the NW, and SW with winds from the NNE to the ESE. It is strongest when gales, which blow parallel to the coast, attains a rate from 2 to 3 knots. The current in the river usually flows outwards, and in the spring thaw, may attain a rate of 2 - 3 knots.

The water level varies between 0.1 m below and 0.5 m above the mean level. Gales from the NW to the N may raise water level to about 1.5 m and those from the S to the SW may lower it to about 0.6 m.

The avanport is an outer harbour called Darłówko, with depths not exceeding 6.5 m. Darłówko is a health resort and
a fishing port. It is situated at the south side of the mouth of the Wieprza river.

There is a drawbridge about 600 m from the entrance, which is opened every hours and with special permission. Communication with the bridge operator may be made through the Harbour Master's Office (VHF Channel 16, 12).

Darłowo town is located about 1.5 Nm upstream from the drawbridge. The port channel is dredged to a depth of about 5.5 m and has a bed width of about 23.0 m, allowing vessels to meet narrowings. The depth in the port basin is 3.5 to 4.5 m.

The dimensions of vessels entering Darłowo harbour can not exceed a length (LOA) of 75 m, width of 12 m, and max. draught of 4.0 m. The specified draught shall refer to the mean water level.

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over 40 m LOA. Pilotage shall be obligatory at the area from road (anchorage) to vessel's berth and vice versa.

Pilots are available from 06.00 to 22.00 daily. The 2 hrs notice of arrival is required through Witowo Radio or Darłowo Harbour Office VHF Channel 16, 12.

Rybacki BasinIt provides quays of total length of 400 m with 3.5 m depth. There are slips for small vessels not more then 30 m length. It is equipped with mobile cranes, repair workshops and other fishing facilities. Divers are available.

Przemysłowy BasinIt is a part of the industrial and commercial harbour. The 300 m long basin provides quays with a total length of 650 m. It is equipped with 2 grain elevators with 2 suction pipes and loading pipe. One suction pipe provides discharging rate of 40 t/h. There are multi-storeyed lofts and flat warehouse of cubature about 17,000 m3. Conveyor belts which can be used for loading: coal (5 vessels can load simultaneously), fertilizers, wood chips and other dry loose bulk cargo. There are 2 mobile cranes of 15 T lifting capacity, fork-lift-trucks, stacking-machines, trailers and lorries.

The port handles mostly grain, which contributes the greatest amount in ports turnover.

Charges

REMARK

All rates quoted in this chapter are subject to change over a year. The prices are given for evaluation purpose.

Charges are given according to the Tariff for services of the Polish seaport Darłowo, valid from June 30st, 2008.

Tonnage dues

Sea going and inland vessels

EUR / 1 GT

entrance/exit

montly

quarterly

yearly

0.30

3.00

6.00

24.00

Cruise vessels, ferries

EUR / 1 GT

entrance/exit

montly

quarterly

yearly

0.80

4.00

8.00

32.00

Passenger ferries and passenger-cargo ferries

EUR / 1 GT

entrance/exit

montly

quarterly

yearly

0.70

7.00

14.00

56.00

Fishing vessels

size of the vessel [m]

entrance/exit

montly

quarterly

yearly

up to 6

1.50

15.00

30.00

120

6 - 9

2.00

20.00

40.00

160

9 - 13

6.00

60.00

100.00

400

13 - 15

7.00

70.00

115.00

460

15 - 18

9.00

90.00

140.00

560

18 - 21

12.00

120.00

200.00

800

21 - 26

16.00

160.00

280.00

1120

26 - 50

25.00

250.00

426.00

1704

over 50

26.00

260.00

500.00

2000

Quay dues

Sea going and inland vessels

EUR / 1 GT

daily

montly

quarterly

yearly

0.14

1.40

3.00

12.00

Cruise vessels, ferries

EUR / 1 GT

daily

montly

quarterly

yearly

0.17

3.00

6.00

24.00

Passenger ferries and passenger-cargo ferries

EUR / 1 GT

daily

montly

quarterly

yearly

0.17

3.00

6.00

24.00

Fishing vessels

EUR / 1 GT

size of the vessel [m]

daily

montly

quarterly

yearly

up to 6

0.17

1.70

3.40

13.60

6 - 9

0.30

3.00

6.00

24.00

9- 13

0.70

7.00

12.00

48.00

13-15

0.90

9.00

16.00

64.00

15 - 18

1.30

13.00

22.00

88.00

18 - 21

1.70

17.00

28.00

112.00

21 - 26

2.50

25.00

45.00

180.00

26 - 50

4.10

41.00

65.00

260.00

over 50

5.70

57.00

85.00

340.00

Passenger dues

0.90 EUR/1 passenger

Agency services

Prices are given according to the "Agency Fees in Polish sea ports" of the Polish Shipbrokers' Association, valid from July 2008.

The scale of agency fees, adopted by the Association, based on vessel's summer maximum loadline dead-weight and expressed in PLN covering clearance, port operation and ship's husbandry, is to be regarded as the recommended minimum rate level to be charged by the Agents.

Owners, respectively Operators, shall place the Agents in funds, covering the estimated disbursements, in advance, but latest on vessel's arrival. For late remittance of funds Owners will be charged an interest of 5% per month or pro rata.

Agents are not responsible for currency exchange losses on any sums held for the account of the Owners or which they have to receive or pay.

The agency fees do not include any percentages, petties, bank charges, fares, deliveries of cash to Master or parcels, advertising, travelling, etc. which will be charged separately.

Should Owners require the Agents to undertake full processing and settlement of claims, the Agents are entitled to a separate remuneration as mutually agreed.

Vessels discharging and loading bulk or liquid cargo of one grade will be charged a basic fee separately for each of these operations.

Vessels arriving with inward cargo and sailing in ballast, or vessels arriving in ballast and sailing with outward cargo shall have a basic fee applied only once.